We all have a History with Reading.

As I was researching new literacy strategies, this was another one I discovered that I would love to try. Getting reluctant readers to buy into reading is a seemingly impossible task when constantly met with the phrase "I hate reading"  or "I don't know how/I'll never know how to read". I'm always looking for any way to move past that defeatist attitude, so I think this would be a really good way to start a class by combating (or validating) those feelings head-on. Even if the student cannot muster up a positive experience associated with reading, at least they will realize that many learners struggle with the exact same thing and they may be more receptive to giving reading a chance.

Why is this strategy effective?

This is a way to disarm the defenses at the start! We hope that at some time in their lives, reading for all students was gratifying. This strategy can be used to help students rediscover at least one positive memory and use it as a cornerstone for future reading successes. Books will be the great equalizer. Every student knows what it feels like to be a reading failure, so once they have done this exercise they will know that they have all felt the same way about books at one time or another (and that they were all kids once upon a time).

• Students will be asked to recall a book that has had an impact on their lives, positive or negative. It gives some form of credit to reading
• Favorable memories can serve as powerful reminder that authentic reading is pleasurable as well as purposeful.
• It doesn’t have to be a favorite book, but it does have to be an important one: one that leaves an impression. The memory can be positive or negative.
• If possible, the student brings the book to class. If the book is not available, students draw an illustration that resembles the cover. It is important for them to have something to hold on to as they stand in front of the class: it alleviates some of the stress speaking in front of their peers causes.
  
  

Variations to assist struggling learners:

• Students could work in groups and brainstorm about various categories: books they enjoyed as children, favourite genres (then or now). Alternately, what genre/books they disliked and why?
• If speaking in front of the class is too difficult, students could present to the teacher or complete a short written assignment (or audio recording) where they describe their chosen book.  

I have always loved reading (these are just a few of my favourites growing up), and I love the nostalgic feeling you get when you recall those books you made your parents read to you a million times...the books that you then read to them a million times...and the ones that you would read again as an adult just for fun:)

Some of my Favourites.

We all know the web is an endless array of information. Some may find this daunting, others may take an optimistic spin and realize that means there are millions of educators out there that are sharing their experiences and strategies. I do sometimes find myself in the former mindset (especially when I'm trying to find a specific thing and end up lost in a sea of sites), but more often than not these searches can land you in some pretty fantastic corners of the web. 

Here are a few sites I have found over the years that provide some awesome strategies, input, and assistance for those nights when we hit that Google Search button hoping for some help: 

Free Resources from the Net for EVERY Learner. This blog was created and maintained by VIU's own Paul Hamilton, and it is such an amazing collection of UDL resources that I find myself checking it anytime I feel I am stuck with a student or trying to figure out some form of technology that might assist in getting them engaged or able to complete coursework.

Teach Special Education (Ontario Teachers Federation). Fantastic collection of effective strategies and resources for students with special needs. Provides instructional, environmental, and assessment suggestions to benefit particular designations as well as key practices that would help any struggling learner in the classroom.

Reading Rockets. I'm sure this one is well-known (and loved), but I do love how despite this site being geared toward supporting early readers, I have found information and strategies that can be applied to secondary learners who are needing some remedial work. 

Edutopia. This site (founded by THE George Lucas) is full of resources, blog posts, videos, new and innovative educational ideas...you could spend hours searching on here and find tons of great stuff!

Lit Strategy to Try: Book Cover Predictions

They say a picture is worth 1000 words-- so a book cover might certainly be able to tell us 1000 words about the text we are about to embark on! This is a new literacy strategy that I am hoping to try out with students in the near future-- Book cover predictions!

 

 *** As an example, check out just a few of the covers produced for Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird (my favourite book of all time). Just think of how the predictions and inferences would change depending on what cover they saw! ***

This opportunity provides struggling students with the chance to focus on a text and make predictions based on the visual clues offered by an illustration or photograph. If students understand that they are to check and analyze their predictions as they read, the strategy motivates students to read carefully.

The premise is simple: get students to look at the illustration or photo on the cover of a text.

• Explain to students that finding clues from illustrations and photographs helps them make predictions about a story or other text
• Ask students to think about what they already know regarding setting, characters, and other story elements as they look over the book cover
• Ask students, “What do you think this story will be about? Why?” and get them to either discuss or fill out a prediction chart
• Additional sample questions to discuss or write about include:

• What do you think is happening? Why?
• Where do you think this story takes place?
• What do you think is being said or done in the picture?
• If it is a photo, where/when do you think the picture was taken? Why was it taken?
• What do you think the artist or photographer tried to capture in this picture? What is the artist/photographer trying to show us? What message is he/she trying to send?
• If you were the subject of this picture, what would you be thinking or feeling? What makes you think that?
• What information is missing in the picture? (What are you wondering about that would help you to better understand the message?)
• What do you find interesting about the picture? What about the picture makes you want to read this story?

• Hopefully as students read, they adjust and refine their predictions based on learning.
   

  

  The cover I see most often in schools. There are so many references to the story in this depiction-- the items in the tree, the shadowy figures of Jem and Scout, the mockingbird on the top branch.

  
  

Every kid needs a champion | Rita Pierson

I recently attending a conference called Challenging Behaviours in Youth, and this is one of the videos the facilitator started the day off with. As I listened to Rita speak, I felt as if she succinctly said everything we should know about the key to supporting all learners in the classroom- and that is to make them know that they are worthy and have potential. Some of our students are used to a school experience where they are constantly reminded of what they cannot do...either overtly from teachers and peers or from internally as they struggle to complete work. By the time they reach secondary school, they have likely assumed their roles as "the dumb kid" so strongly that it seems impossible to shake. That is where we come in. Dedicated, caring educators who know that every child needs somebody in their corner. Somebody who knows their story, acknowledges their struggles, and works to find a solution.